Beah and Bubbas: Making a mess

I am a happy mommy today. We started a new night time ordeal and it's actually working (as of now). Leah, now almost 7 months, still was waking up every 2 hours. I was fine doing it up until a few weeks ago. I think it really started to affect me, who wouldn't get affected by lack of sleep?? Leah was moved to her own room, in her own crib about 2 weeks ago. She does the same in our room as she does out of our room - it was mostly a convenience thing for me. Thanks to my friend, Erin, and her mom (who is a lactation consultant) we made up a game plan. So here's what we did...

I started by giving Leah one more nap during the day - around dinner time. This way she would stay up a little later, and she would have more energy to nurse at night. Also, I really made sure she emptied both sides, for a while, I would just put her down when she fell asleep. I don't think she was getting enough then. Now that I know she is not hungry, and she's comfortable, I feel better about making her wait longer. So.. when she wakes up at night and I KNOW she's not hungry (I gave myself a time limit of 2:30am), I will not pick her up. I will go to her crib, and cuddle with her, rub her back, and tell her everything is ok until she falls back to sleep. Easier said than done, but it is working!! The first night was hard. She woke up every 2 hours as usual, and hated not being picked up!! I was crying right along with her, but no one said it would be easy! Last night went much better. She nursed really well at 8pm... but didn't want to go to sleep.. stinker!! She finally went to sleep around 9:30, but didn't want to nurse (I was so frustrated because I thought she would wake up soon and be hungry). She woke up at 11, and I went in there and patted her back, to my amazement she went right back to sleep. So, I went to bed and the next time I opened my eyes it was 4:45!!! I had the worst boob-ache ever!!!! I rushed to her room to make sure she was still breathing (haha, I know)... and she was fine!!! I went to the living room and started to pump, but I think Leah heard me and woke up around 5. I nursed her (ahhhhh relief!!) and she fell back asleep until 8!! Wow, it was amazing, and I feel so proud, of myself and her!! So lets all keep our fingers and toes crossed tonight goes just as well or better!

Enjoy the last few days worth of pictures!

Leah being crazy while I give her massages... she loves them!

Goofy girl.

Hugging daddy, she's a great hugger.

Sorry Payton... she has been itching so bad lately her neck is raw (don't worry, we finally got it under control), so we put Leah's socks on her back feet so she wouldn't make it worse!